[Pest Profile] American Cockroach

Order/Family: Blattodea/Blattidae

Scientific Name: Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus)

Description

American cockroaches are 1 3/8- to 2 1/8-inches long when mature, red-brown and characterized by fully developed wings that completely cover the abdomen. The pronotum has a dirty-yellow band around its edge. The nymphs are 1/4-inch long when they emerge from the egg capsule. As they develop, they become more red-brown and the yellow band becomes more prominent on the pronotum. The egg capsule is dark red-brown in color and 3/8-inch long.

Biology

A female scorpion does not lay eggs, but produces an average of 35 live nymphs per brood which she carries on her back for from seven to 30 days. The nymphs undergo an average of six molts over a period of several months to four years before reaching maturity. Adults live for one to six years.

During her lifetime, the female American cockroach produces from nine to 10 egg capsules, each of which contains from 14 to 16 eggs. The capsules are dropped or, using secretions from her mouth, glued in protected locations such as cracks and crevices near food sources. The nymphs molt from 10 to 13 times before becoming adults. This requires about 600 days.

Habits

American cockroaches are not common pests in most homes. They can be abundant in sewers and commercial facilities, e.g., grocery stores, prisons, restaurants, hospitals and office and apartment buildings. They prefer to inhabit warm, damp locations, e.g., steam tunnels and boiler rooms. They are strong fliers and easily migrate from building to building. Although they feed on a variety of materials, they prefer fermenting foods.

Control

Cockroaches often are brought into and moved between facilities via equipment and storage boxes. Thus, potentially infested products which are brought into structures should be closely inspected. Many types of cardboard and plastic sticky traps are available to help pinpoint sources of cockroach infestation and to monitor selected areas. Visual inspections can be conducted using a flashlight and aerosol pyrethrin to flush cockroaches from their harborages. American cockroaches are particularly sensitive to drying so it is important to reduce moisture by repairing leaks, improving drainage and installing screened vents in order to increase airflow. Permanent reduction of cockroach populations can be achieved by caulking to eliminate harborage and prevent entry into structures. Containerized, paste, dry and gel baits have become popular in the industry and are effective products for eliminating cockroaches. Large populations of cockroaches can be reduced or eliminated with careful application of sprays and dusts.

Up Close

• 1-3/8 to 2-1/8 inches long when mature

• Have fully developed wings that completely cover the abdomen

• The purse-shaped egg capsule is dark red-brown in color, 3/8-inch long and typically has eight eggs per side

• Adult females live an average of 440 days; males live about 200 days

• Can be abundant in sewers and commercial facilities

• An effective management program depends on good sanitation in order to eliminate the food, water and harborage they need for survival

• It is critical to reduce clutter

• Vacuum cleaning can be used to physically remove exposed cockroaches